Atambua, E Nusa Tenggara, Jan 2 (ANTARA) - Indonesian traders from Belu
district in East Nusa Tenggara province have observed that the East
Timorese prefer Indonesian commodities to those from other countries, a
businessman said here Thursday.

"We have observed that the East Timorese prefer Indonesian
products to foreign commodities," said Haryanto.

Foreign traders from Indonesia, Australia, Japan and South Korea have
been selling their products in East Timor, particularly in its capital,
Dili, for the past few years, noted Haryanto who has been earning a living
as a trader in Dili.

Most Indonesian traders in Dili are from East Nusa Tenggara, he said,
adding that they sell basic commodities and clothing.

Another Indonesian trader from Atambua, Robert Cun, shared Haryanto's
views.

"East Timorese culture is similar to that of Indonesia, that is
why they prefer Indonesian commodities to foreign products," he said.

Instant noodle is among the Indonesian products popular among the East
Timorese, he said.

East Timor, formerly a Portuguese colony, integrated with Indonesia in
1975 but seceded from the republic in 1999.